This home’s thoughtful expansion is a testament to its simple rural pedigree.

Having first spotted this house on the rolling hills of Erin, Ont., a number of years ago, one of its present owners fell hard for its pretty proportions and irresistibly romantic setting. Buillt in 1840, the house was surrounded by intimate gardens and pathways that led to a nearby stream. The modest three-bedroom house was soon enlarged to accommodate visiting children and grandchildren as well as the couple’s six canine companions. The design of the newer parts of the country house were based on the original stone farmhouse.

An array of plants and trees resembles a hallway leading to the front entrance. Two small trees framing the end of the path mimic the idea of pillars, adding height to the natural display. A large stone walkway creates a polished, elegant look.

An iron lantern and wicker umbrella basket add to the raw look of the exposed stone wall.

The view from the kitchen extends through a smaller linking hallway into the new study, which is situated in the old house. “It’s important with these links that everything melds,” says interior designer Christie Hansen of the home’s cohesive colour scheme, defined in this space by the white pine panelling and pretty striped rug.

Upholstered chairs soften the look of the dining room and help to quiet sound in the large space. Doors flanking the kitchen lead to a pantry and bar on one side and an entryway with a mini-library on the other. The light-wood floors and gingham fabric on the chair backs enhance the room’s Gustavian style.

Interior designer Christie Hansen designed the living room’s slender matching coffee tables — which can be pushed together as one — to ease movement through the space; they’re also easier to reach from the sofas. Architect Jim Pearson took his inspiration for the 22-foot reclaimed barnboard ceiling from old Ontario barns. Its rustic beams are a fitting counterpoint to the elegant furniture.

With a nod to the home’s heritage, a large fieldstone fireplace and limestone flooring define a room that’s screened for relaxed summer use and glassed in when the weather turns cold. Family members often sit around the cocktail-height table for casual fireside meals.

A palette of pale blues and creamy whites plays into this principal bedroom’s atmosphere of calm. The homeowners had the cypress ceiling pickled to accentuate the height, and to tone down the orange. French doors flood the room with light and lead to private gardens.

Wide floorboards in a pale wood are a lovely contrast to the principal bathroom's glossy white floor tiles. A glass-fronted, floor-to-ceiling armoire offers storage and complements the fresh and airy feel of the space.

The 12' x 15' mudroom doubles as the dog room and houses a spot for each dog to sleep. Cubbies and open shelves help corral all the entrance's clutter. To keep the space fresh, air is piped into the area, keeping odours to a minimum.

Suited to the age and elegant rusticity of the original stone farmhouse, the new landscaping's lush plantings and understated stone elements help make the new part of the home look like it's been here for centuries.

This lush garden has a symbiosis between formal and natural elements — symmetrical planters and a casual mix of flowers work in perfect harmony. Boxwood-enclosed gardens are filled with foxglove, allium and roses, adding colour to the stone exterior of the home.